[AMA: Foreign Service Officer]

Is it reasonable for an aspiring FSO to take out 70,000 (over two years) in educational loans to attend a top IR master's program? Is he fooling himself to think that the degree would fetch him an extra $10-12,000/year under the current pay schedule (exceeding his student loan payments) and thus immediately start paying for itself? Should his only worry be managing a potential gap in between graduation and induction when the insatiable and jealous gods at SallieMae demand continuous sacrifices in times of likely penury?

 

Should he temper his unshakable confidence that he will eventually be offered a job in the Service? Does the ratio of names on the register to actual hires vary so much from year to year? In other words, can't we make any generalizations ala "about half the names on the register are offered jobs in any given year"?

 

And have you ever felt that you had to compromise your principles/beliefs in an outrageous or especially demoralizing way in service of our government?

 

Much appreciated.

[Elliott vs. SAIS]

I've received all my acceptances for IR master's programs for Fall 2014 (SIS, Elliott, SIPA, and SAIS). I've already ruled out SIPA because they don't have the concentrations I'm looking for, plus I already have a job lined up in DC for the fall. I'm also ruling out SIS due to the fact that I think both Elliott  and SAIS have stronger programs, so that leaves me deciding between those two...

 

...I'd love to eventually work in the Foreign Service, so my final consideration will be based on which school I think will best prepare me for that goal. At the outset, I'm leaning towards Elliott since I like the flexibility of their curriculum (I can specialize in both a "global theme" and a region through elective credits). SAIS has a strong econ core, but because of that I also heard SAIS graduates tend to end up in international finance/the private sector more than in public service. 

 

Money is also a factor. Unfortunately I didn't receive any fellowships, so I'll be taking out loans plus working on the side (and I've heard Elliott classes tend to be at night so it can be flexible with a work schedule, another bonus.) 

 

However, SAIS is an amazing school and well-deserving of its reputation, so I'm wondering if the name recognition/alumni connections would help my career prospects long-term. 

If anyone else who has attended or looked at these programs has any feedback, I'd greatly appreciate it! I'm really torn right now...

 

I'm in the same situation with essentially the same goals and considerations. Both schools are sufficiently reputable for my purposes. However, I want to work in the foreign service as soon as possible rather than "eventually", so the relative prestige of SAIS and its alumni connections don't sway me. I'm tempted to say that in our position choosing SAIS over Elliott would be solely an act of vanity--unless, of course, you're aiming for the economic cone.